Pattern performance of schizophrenic patients on luria-nebraska neuro-psychological battery.

Luria-Nebraska Neuro-psychological Battery, is now an established tool to assess brain damage in recent years. This test battery has been reported to be very useful to find out functional organization of the brain. The biological basis of psychiatry is also now well explained. The present study is directed towards the neuro-psychological functioning of schizophrenic disorder, and the findings are discussed in the light of biological researches. The pattern of performance of schizophrenia on Luria-Nebraska Neuro-psychological battery is indicating the possibility of combined cerebral dysfunction, more towards left hemisphere functions. No single localization was found responsible for this illness. Limitations of present study, and need for well organized further research is indicated using advance technology of brain imaging techniques and neuro-psychological profile of brain functioning, would be helpful for the rehabilitation purposes and to understand the illness better.

Neuro-psychological profile of epilepsy on luria-nebraska neuropsychological battery.

Neuropsychological functioning of epileptic patients is emerging as an interesting area of research among clinician. There is sufficient evidence suggesting cognitive deficits among epileptics. No specific rehabilitation planning was prepared in this regard. The planning for rehabilitation can be prepared if a comprehensive functional organization of the brain of epileptics can be identified. The present study is directed towards the neuropsychological functioning of patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsies, and its comparison with normal controls. All the 60 subjects (30 normal controls and 30 epileptics), after matching their age and education were assessed on Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery (LNNB). The performance level and pattern of epileptics were significantly different than normal controls on all the parameters of LNNB. The battery could detect specific organic malfunctioning in epileptic patients.

Attempted suicide in ludhiana.

This study assesses the various socio-demographic correlates, the method adopted and the psychiatric disorders in patients with attempted suicide.Out of 208 cases presented to the hospital, one hundred individuals with suicide attempt were included in the present study. They were evaluated for socio-demographic profile and psychiatric illness on the basis of ICD-10 criteria.Analysis of the results showed that single males outnumbered single females, whereas married females outnumbered married males in suicidal attempt. The prevalence of suicidal attempt was high among males with psychiatric illness, whereas more female suicide attempters were without psychiatric illness. The most common psychiatric illnesses were found to be mood disorders (35%) and adjustment disorders (13%) as per the ICD-10 criteria. Family type, economic status and education levels appears to be playing non significant role in suicide attempt in this part of the country Marital status and psychiatric illnesses are playing important role in suicide attempt. Other demographic variables, though, were statistically non significant, but, below 30 years of age group, low socio-economic status, low education and nuclear families were found to be more vulnerable factors for suicide.

Temperamental characteristics and psychopathology among children of alcoholics.

The impact of family and child rearing practices on personality development and psychiatric illnesses are well established. The present investigation is directed towards the study of psychopathology and temperamental characteristics of children of alcoholic parents, to find out correlation between these two areas and the role of alcoholism in child rearing practices. A group of 100 children of alcoholic parents was selected through random sampling between the age range of 4-12 years and compared with the children of nonalcoholic parents (N-100). Both groups were assessed on Temperamental Measurement Schedule. The student 't' test and product moment was computed for comparative and correlation purposes. The children of alcoholics were found to be manifesting marked psychopathological disturbances. These children were also found to be more arrhythmic manifesting negative mood and low persistence as compared to the children of control group. The positive correlation between psychopathological and temperamental characteristics have been indicated.

Spectrum of psychiatric symptomatology in children in high and low socio-economic groups in Ludhiana.

A door to door survey was conducted to study the spectrum of psychiatric symptomatology in children aged 1-12 years belonging to high and low socio-economic groups. One hundred families in each group were studied. Symptom prevalence rate was comparable in the two groups, i.e., 479/1000 in the high socio-economic (HSE) group and 487/1000 in the low socio-economic (LSE) group. However, there were significant differences in the spectrum of symptomatology. Symptoms like quarrelsomeness, disobedience, abusive language, stealing, truancy, pica, school refusal, enuresis, mental subnormality and poor scholastic performance were significantly more in the LSE group. In the HSE group, symptoms like nail biting, food refusal, food fads and temper tantrums were significantly more.

Levels of copper and zinc in depression.

The study was undertaken to estimate plasma copper and zinc in thirty-five depressed patients. Two blood samples were drawn from each patient, one before starting treatment and the second after recovery from depression. The results were compared with the thirty-five normal healthy individuals. The mean plasma copper in controls, depressed patients and in patients after recovery were 106.82, 122.14 and 104.22 micrograms/dl, respectively. The copper levels in patients when depressed were significantly higher as compared to controls and after recovery from depression. The mean plasma zinc levels in controls, depressed patients and after recovery were 115.80, 107.62 and 125.68 micrograms/dl, respectively. No significant difference could be obtained between control and depressed patients. However, the values were significantly higher in recovered patients compared to patients with depression.

Psychiatric training and its practice: a survey of 86 practitioners.

86 private practitioners were surveyed about the total prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in their practice. An assessment was made about their undergraduate psychiatric training and its current utility. Significance of the findings have been discussed.

Drug abuse among non-student youth labour.

257 non-student youth (age range 15-24 years) have been studied on socio-demographic variables, extent and frequency of drug abuse. Results of the study have been discussed.

Drug abuse among rickshaw pullers in industrial town of ludhiana.

250 rickshaw pullers have born studied on socio-demographic factor, the extent of life use, recent use, current use and the frequency of use or various drugs, and motivating factors for consuming these drugs. The results of present work have been discussed.